As initiatives to promote physical well-being in children - from daily exercise routines to healthy eating habits - help guide them toward longer lives, mental health has sometimes taken a back seat.

These disorders and visible after-effects are becoming part of everyday life, with natural disasters, violence and death hitting children at alarmingly young ages.

With mental health in mind, New Jersey is fast expanding a program for kindergarteners and first-graders that will help teach children sound ways to cope with stress. The program, called Zippy's Friends, has hit home on a local level as well.

The Todd Ouida Children's Foundation, a River Edge-based organization, has partnered with Montclair State University to train New Jersey teachers to implement Zippy's Friends in area schools.

Dr. Gerard Costa, director of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health, said the curriculum is becoming more relevant in the modern era. Along with regular studies such as reading, math and science, Costa said that it is crucial to teach children coping mechanisms at such a vulnerable age.

"After the tragedy in Newtown, there's a need to find ways to talk about trauma and tragedy," Costa said. "Particularly, in a time where we're helping children grapple with very unfavorable events."

The sentiment was echoed by River Edge resident Herb Ouida, who oversees the Todd Ouida Children's Foundation.

The Todd Ouida Children's Foundation was started after Herb's son, Todd, died in the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. Todd suffered from an anxiety disorder as a child, and the Ouidas were looking for a way to give back and help raise funds for children who are susceptible to anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders.

Ouida stressed that helping children at a "very early age" is the key to helping them later on in life.

"Zippy's Friends is designed to help children at an early age develop coping skills for things like bullying, inappropriate touching, and loss in their lives," Ouida said. "You need to intervene earlier to help children."

Although the curriculum has been in place in River Edge schools for five years and other districts like Paramus, Wayne and Paterson, Costa is planning to expand throughout the entire state. After receiving $10,000 from the Todd Ouida Children's Foundation and a matching $10,000 grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Montclair will offer the training to more schools.

"Over a number of months, I reviewed it and absolutely I endorsed it," Costa said. "I'm thrilled to offer this curriculum, because we see this as a great opportunity that will tremendously expand mental health development in children."

It is important to address children's thoughts and feelings in the wake of tragedies such as Hurricane Sandy, Costa said. Both Costa and Ouida agreed that children need to be taught how to express themselves so that they can deal with tragedy and become more self-aware.

The training for teachers began in January and consists of 24 weekly lessons covering early childhood emotional and social development, including communication, harassment, relationships, coping and dealing with change and loss.